Austin County Obits

PHILIP J. O'JIBWAY

Bellville Times

Private grave side services for Philip J. O'Jibway of Lubbock were held
Friday at Resthaven Memorial Park. O'Jibway, 85, died Monday, December 5th.
He was born in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, September 20, 1920.
He attended Indian School at Bacone College in Muskogee, Oklahoma, where he
joined the Oklahoma National Guard in 1937. On February 10, 1942 he married
Emma Gathing, who preceded him in death, January 10th, 1989.
He entered the Army and served as a Captain and Company Commander in
Patton's 45th Division. He was one of the first American Indian Company
Commanders in World War II.
He earned two Purple Hearts in Italy in 1943 and a third on D-Day, June 6,
1944.
After the war, he earned a degree in Business Administration from Trinity
University. Phil was employed by Prudential Insurance, Lumberman's
Investment Corp in Austin, and became District Director of the Small
Business Administration in Lubbock in 1969 where he served for more than 16
years.
Phil married Hazel McNemee on February 17, 1990 who preceded him in death
may 26, 2005. He is survived by his two sons, Jim and wife, Kay, of
Bellville, Tom and wife, Barbara of Lubbock, grandchildren, Jeff, Jay, Jill,
Joe and Toby O'Jibway.
He is also survived by two brothers, Joseph and Jack and a sister, Jeanine
Eggert.
Phil was an active member of the Lubbock Rotary Club, Retired Officer's
Association, the West Texas Parkinson's Society, and a member of the First
Presbyterian Church in Lubbock.
Memorials may be made to the West Texas Parkinson's Society, at 3506 21st
St., Suite 402, Lubbock, TX 79410 or the Bellville Boys and Girls Club.